2D/3D Horizontal Well Correlation & Geosteering

GeoSteering within a dynamic, 3D geomodel

Plan more wells, drill more wells, and do so
faster, and with greater accuracy. Geoscientists today are tasked
with this challenge as horizontal well drilling and "factory
production" development methodologies increase in popularity. As
they seek to tackle this seemingly daunting challenge, these same
geoscientists are also responsible for developing new plays and
drilling locations. Needless to say, it is imperative that the
geosteering process remain efficient; as new drilling data arrives,
the geoscientist can interpret and integrate it into the geomodel
quickly, all in an effort to keep the drilling on target.

Such efficiency is achieved with smartSTRAT®, an add-on
module to LMKR GeoGraphix® smartSECTION® .
It enables fast,easy, and accurate horizontal well geosteering with
instantaneous geomodel updates. The module offers easy-to-use,
geosteering tools with the capacity to view depth-converted seismic
backdrops and formations and faults. It also offers direct
integration with mapped, geologic surfaces within the 3D geomodel.
This unique ability affords the geoscientist greater efficiency and
accurate, geologic correlations and predictions. This additional
level of quality assurance allows the geoscientist to stay ahead of
the drill bit, avoid faults and other geohazards, and keep the
borehole in-zone.

During the geosteering process, geoscientists interactively update
their geologic models in smartSECTION® with new picks,
inter-well points, and revised drilling targets. The resulting
interpretations are displayed seamlessly in GeoGraphix®
advanced 3D visualization, allowing for effortless problem
identification and avoidance.

Horizontal Panel View
View predicted log curves vs. Logging-While-Drilling (LWD) log
curves beneath the smartSTRAT® vertical section in a
horizontal panel. The predicted response is modeled by varying the
dip angle and/or fault offset of the 2D active surface. Determine
the geometry of the model by matching the predicted curve response
to the LWD curve. Ancillary curves like ROP, and resistivity can be
displayed along with the LWD curve in the horizontal panel
view.

Vertical Panel View
Display true vertical thickness (TVT) type logs (generated from
the drilling well or from any offset type log in TVD or TVT) in the
vertical panel. In the same panel, view the TVD of the LWD log for
the active correlation dip segment against the type log.
Stretch/squeeze and/or offset the TVD/LWD curve to determine the
dip angle and/or fault offset.

Depth-Converted Seismic Backdrops, Formations and Faults when
SeisVision™ interpretations are present, generate dynamically
depth-converted seismic backdrops and formations and faults
on-the-fly and display in smartSTRAT® vertical section
view. The seismically controlled surfaces and backdrop allow the
interpreter to look ahead of the borehole to detect and avoid
geohazards, or to anticipate seismic scale faults.

Velocity Model Updates
Update surfaces and backdrops sourced from SeisVision™ with
inter-well points tying the 3D FramebuilderTM surfaces
to a smartSTRAT® model. This feature helps generate an
accurate and comprehensive SeisVision™ velocity model for use in
depth conversions.

Dynamic Mapping in
FramebuilderTM
Framebuilder, the 3D, topology mapping engine
(smartSECTION® add-on), offers real-time mapping of an
updated geomodel With FramebuilderTM; the 3D geomodel
surfaces are displayed in Map View. In addition, data generated
from the geomodel can be exported back to GeoAtlasTM as
IsoMapTM layers for mapping. Such a feature gives a
geoscientist instant access to map geometry changes resulting from
smartSTRAT® correlations.

Drilling Target Lines
Once a geomodel is updated, draw drilling target lines on the
smartSTRAT® vertical section to generate the required
drilling parameters, thus keeping the well on target and
in-zone.

Increases Productivity
Because smartSTRAT® is an integral extension of
smartSECTION®, the geosteering process facilitates quick
updates to the project database and 3D geomodel, saving time and
ensuring accurate, structural modeling.

Real-Time Geological and Geophysical
Interpretations
Seismic data provides valuable information about a reservoir's
structure and stratigraphy away from the borehole. View dynamically
depth-converted seismic data and interpreted seismic horizons and
faults as a backdrop, or as surfaces within the
FramebuilderTM geomodel (scaled to the extents of the
smartSTRAT® vertical section). To refine the geomodel
further, superimpose log curves, surface correlations, and borehole
data on the vertical section to provide key information about the
geology and structure of the reservoir.

Geomodeling While Drilling
To tie a smartSTRAT® interpretation to a
FramebuilderTM, geomodeled surface, hang the type logs
used for each dip segment along the wellbore in Vertical Section
view to facilitate inter-well, correlation point picking.
To maintain an optimal borehole path, once the geomodel updates,
draw drilling target lines on the smartSTRAT® vertical
section to generate the required trajectory parameters. As the
horizontal well correlates in cross section view, the project's
geomodel updates dynamically for immediate viewing in Map View
(with the purchase of FramebuilderTM) and in the new,
advanced 3D visualization view.

Pack-and-Go Portability
From the well site, geoscientists geosteer using
smartSTRAT®, then email the vertical section and
smartSTRAT® model files to the home office, where the
new data can synchronize with the parent project instantly to
update the geomodel with the new interpretation.